"To be a Patriot" Award

Established in 1985, the “To Be A Patriot” Award annually recognizes the three best patriotic programs conducted by Fourth Degree assemblies each fraternal year.

Entries are judged at the district, provincial and international levels.

The 2016-2017 “To Be A Patriot” Award winners are:

Cardinal Mindszenty Assembly 932Shamokin, PennsylvaniaVeterans Service & Support Program

Members of Cardinal Mindszenty Assembly provided timely, practical solutions to veterans’ emergency needs in three ways: sponsoring a veteran emergency fund; organizing vet-to-vet, brother-to-brother support; and providing emergency assistance. Emergency funding and assistance took the form of housing repairs, gas cards for travel to VA medical centers and clinics, home heating assistance, co-pay assistance for needed medications, food support and more. The vet-to-vet support matched a volunteer veteran with a veteran-in-need to provide one-to-one connections and encouragement.

Assembly members donated more than 3,100 hours of their time to this ongoing, significant outreach to veterans in their community.

Rev. Father Robert E. Kekeisen Assembly hosted a speech contest that invited students to reflect upon the U.S. flag’s role as a patriotic symbol. The contest helped many of the young participants realize the symbolism of the colors and the overall history of the Star Spangled Banner. The contest also fostered the patriotic devotion that drives many young people to enlist in service of their country. Twenty-seven fourthand fifth-grade students took part, each delivering their personally prepared speech to an audience of their peers, teachers and parents.

Father Joseph T. O’Callahan Assembly brought “The Wall That Heals,” a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to their community. The traveling exhibit taught viewers about the war and stood in testament to the Knights’ appreciation of Vietnam vets, many of whom never received a proper welcome upon their return. The display also allowed Vietnam veterans to revisit memories of their fallen brothers from the comfort of their own communities, giving them the chance to further heal from the effects of the war. Everyone who saw the display was reminded that our veterans should never be forgotten for their sacrifices for our nation.